Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

The terrain of Jade City is uniquely advantageous, with three routes converging, gathering wealth and nobility, becoming the richest city. The three routes are Yu Nan Dao, Wang He Dao, and Guan Long Dao. Yu Nan Dao is close to the sea, Guan Long Dao is mountainous and dangerous, and Wang He Dao has countless heroes and outstanding men. Jade City, benefiting from heavenly timing, geographical advantages, and harmonious human relations, stands independent yet not isolated.

The journey is long and arduous. Li Xian recalls the conversation at Cyan Ox Residence, lamenting the unpredictability of life. His bee farm had a bountiful harvest, intending to transport it to Jade City, exchanging it for wealth, to make cauldrons and train martial arts... But he was captivated by beauty, wanting to spend more time with Nangong Liuli, delaying the plan. Later, when the Water Altar was destroyed, the elders were tragically enslaved.

The bee farm and orchard were naturally occupied. With great difficulty, having founded something, it vanished like a fleeting dream. Li Xian thought: "My wife once said, what is given easily by others can be easily taken back. Only what you gain yourself truly belongs to you. The bee farm and orchard were obtained by chance and lost by chance, so why grieve? If I can step into the Third Realm in the future, I will have accumulated strength, foundation, insight, and understanding... I must establish my own manor, self-reliant and self-sufficient."

At this moment, situated in "Yu Nan Dao, Huaiyin Prefecture," the view extends over the endless rice fields, lush and vibrant, in the peak of agricultural season. In times of prosperity, even the people below manage to live fairly stable lives. Although chaos is brewing, the surface peace is barely maintained.

Huaiyin Prefecture is rich in lake fish, occupied by the major fishing enterprises of "Li," "Huang," and "Chu." Truly colossal forces, remaining unshaken. Li Xian travels and observes, understanding the various aspects of the world, grasping the rules, broadening his knowledge and understanding.

Having begun at Yihetang Manor, later entering the Water Altar, and then experienced the event of Flying Dragon City, despite many life-threatening situations and frequent perilous battles, he has rarely truly journeyed through Jianghu. Danger often accompanies him, leaving no heart for exploration. This stint—to be momentarily free from past grudges, is a pleasure to be at ease, truly stepping into Jianghu, truly exploring the myriad worlds.

Each piece of scenery captures the eyes. The customs of each place unfold.

It was mid-August at the time.

Li Xian started from Huaiyin Prefecture, heading southeast. Dressed in simple cloth clothing, with a green bamboo hairpin, though he was poor and of humble origins, he was cheerful and carefree, a rare picturesque sight in the human realm.

Traveling for over ten days, not seeking speed, but stability. Sleeping in the wild, eating simple food... he finds joy even in these. When no one is around, he recites scriptures, practices martial arts, accumulates foundation, and cleanses impurities.

The land of Huaiyin Prefecture is vast and rich, yet even though Li Xian is nimble on foot, it is difficult to traverse entirely. Exiting "Donghu State," he turns northward. Along the way, if confronted with stubborn illness, he awaits requests for treatment, then deliberates on cures. Thus honing his medical skills.

The scenery and customs along the way are entirely taken in, presenting an unusual charm.

There was one occasion.

The weather was unbearably hot, the blazing sun hanging high, the heat oppressive. Li Xian traveled along a winding mountain path, using a fan to cool himself, struggling to adapt. Suddenly, he encountered a rural farmer. The farmer was driving an ox cart, carrying several bags of "snake melon." These snake melons, resembling snakes and melons, had sharp mouths and pointed teeth.

Yet, eating them quenches thirst remarkably. Cutting off the melon head, squeezing out the juice—scarlet like blood, yet cool and refreshing, with a texture both smooth and sweet. Li Xian hailed the farmer, requesting a snake melon to taste.

After eating, he found the flavor rather peculiar, purchasing three to five snake melons, tying them around his body, enjoying them while walking. For tens of miles along the mountain path, it was a light journey; despite the scorching sun, he felt cool and comfortable.

On another occasion, Li Xian grew weary and happened to have some Silver Taels left. Therefore, he waited at a ferry, boarding a ship for a stretch. The river was just that river, and the ship was just that ship, with nothing particularly remarkable.

But during the voyage, he witnessed, amidst the vast river waves, a conflict between a fishing enterprise and the ship industry, about to erupt into a massive water battle. The river path along the way was entirely blocked.

The ship on which Li Xian was traveling was forced to stop by the riverbank. The two major industries arranged complimentary inns for the guests. From the heights of the inn, they could observe the spectacular scene on the river and witness the conflict between the two giant enterprises.

This event was truly peculiar. Li Xian inquired about the timing and secured an excellent viewing spot early, to observe the conflict between the two enterprises. In those days, the fighting between "fishing enterprises" and "ship industry" was particularly fierce.

The time came.

One could see dark clouds rolling over the river path, even before both sides’ forces arrived, the drum sounds preceded them. The fishing enterprise had thirty-seven ships, including three main ships. The ship industry had forty-nine ships, including four main ships.

The momentum was soaring, red banners fluttering. The river surged, and sudden rain fell as both forces gathered at the river’s mouth.

The layers of floors were filled with spectators cheering and shouting, the earth and mountains seemed to reverberate. Watching the ship industry drive their ships to collide aggressively, the fishing enterprise’s ships were inferior and dared not collide, the flag bearer waved a hand to avoid the sharp edges first.

The ship industry laughed heartily, yet before they could savor their triumph, the fishing enterprise experts drummed Thunder Sound, danced with huge waves, threw spears and fired crossbows, causing the ship industry’s formation to collapse in chaos momentarily. The fishing enterprise experts, excelling in water skills, dove into the water, drilling ships and breaking vessels.

The ship industry experts were not weak; they brought out the Wind-Stabilizing Treasure Banner. They calmed waves, cut off river tides. Casting special iron nets into the water, they caught and captured the fishing enterprise experts.

For a moment, victories and defeats were both present. The fight was exhilarating, strategies emerged one after another. You deliver one strike, I retaliate with another. It was perilous, circuitous, and the spectators continuously cheered, waves of applause unstoppable.

When the fight was deadlocked, even more, did one witness several dozen experts of the fishing enterprise, pounding their chests atop the waves, managing to draw down the clouds, unleashing a torrential storm, enhancing the wind and waves. The ship industry experts drummed with full force, and once the drum sounded, the wind and waves calmed.

The two sides contended in a drumming duel. Their forces interlocked weapons. The river surface tilted, and later, the fishing enterprise summoned a patron beast: Jiao Python. The ship industry summoned a patron beast: Turtle Qiu. The two exotic beasts, each as colossal as a giant ship, embarked on a fierce battle on their own!

The river water churned as they tore and bit, blood flowing freely. Eventually, in the aftermath, the fishing enterprise suffered a slight defeat, but the ship industry also incurred significant losses. Both sides retreated to the riverbank, casualties were heavy.